The stars paraded on out! The band was playing their song. It was really great to see some of the couples back together and some of the new pairings as well. One thing is for sure, if we thought the dancing was fantastic last season, it is going to be amazing this season with all of the champions and near-champions in the ballroom.

Up first with the Cha Cha was Joey Fatone and Kym Johnson! The NSYNC crooner and runner up is looking forward to beating Season 4 champ Apolo Ohno, so we’ll see if he can do it. So the smoke was smoking up the stage and he started off with a huge jump right over Kym! He had a lot of flair and they had a ton of pizzazz! What a way to start off the All-Star season! I really think they looked sharp and had a lot of fun with the dance, that’s exactly what you want to see! Hopefully the judges liked it too. Len explained that the judging is changing, they are now judging with half points too! Len said that he loved watching him dance and had a high performance level and said to check out his footwork but thought it was great. Bruno said he always brings it on and that was the way to do it. He reminded him to straighten the back of his knee though. Carrie Ann said that he’s one of her favorite showmen, but Tom didn’t let her finish her comment! So who knows if she had something negative to add.

Their Scores: Carrie Ann – 6.5, Len – 7, and Bruno – 7, for a total of 20.5 out of 30. Carrie Ann added that she had more to say to explain her score but didn’t get the chance.

Next up was the champion of season 8, Shawn Johnson and her partner Derek Hough. She said she feels like she is cheating on her old partner Mark Ballas. She is the youngest competitor in the competition too. They danced the Fox Trot. They were very clean and crisp right off the bat. They were very in sync. Is it just me or did they have more energy than the band?! They were fantastic though. She also had her mom in the audience supporting her. Bruno said that she is a floor scorcher and it was a fully loaded dance. He noticed that she added a little sex appeal and asked her to define her movements a little more though. Carrie Ann said that it was what all star season is all about and called her the total package. Len said what she did she did well and said that it didn’t feel like a Fox Trot all the way so it disappointed him some, but did reinforce that he thinks she is a good dancer.

Their Scores: Carrie Ann – 8, Len – 6.5, and Bruno – 7.5, for a total of 22 out of 30.

Former Cheetah Girl Sabrina Bryan is back after her surprise elimination from Season 5 with partner Louis Van Amstel. They had the Cha Cha Cha up next. They lit up the room with their energy! Their spins were great, and I think she did a great job! It had a lot of swanky Cha Cha action. It did leave her totally out of breath though. The crowd loved it! Carrie Ann said that she is on fire. Len said that it lacked some finesse but he liked the dance. Bruno said that she unleashed fury on the dance floor but she missed a few passes and they could have been cleaner, but he is so happy that she is back.

Their Scores: Carrie Ann – 7.5, Len – 7.5, and Bruno – 7.5, for a total of 22.5 out of 30.

Helio Castroneves and his new partner Chelsie Hightower is back from his big win on Season 5. They danced the Fox Trot. The beginning seemed a little ahead of the music, but once they started really dancing they hit their stride. It was very elegant! His frame could have been a little sturdier at times, but overall it was fun and they looked fantastic out there! He was clearly thrilled with his performance, giving a fist pump at the end. Len said that it was a joy to watch, but he has to turn his feet out and over all he thought it was good. Bruno said he is bright and engaging, but said that he did mess his feet up quite a bit. Carrie Ann said his charisma and charm is great but she would like to see a little more body contact because she thinks that will help him with his leading a little bit.

Their Scores: Carrie Ann – 7, Len – 7.5, and Bruno 7, for a total of 21.5 out of 30.

Pamela Anderson brought her sex appeal back from season 10 with her new partner Tristan McManus to dance the Cha Cha. She had the flounce down and they did seem to be a good pairing. I will say it was a little slower than the other dances we’ve seen so far. She is one of the few stars that never made the finals and you could kind of tell. They tried their hardest though. Bruno said that she is a good performer but there wasn’t enough work there for him to praise her. Carrie Ann said that her body didn’t have the right technique. Len said that it was a bit like a kid on a bike with the training wheels off.

Their Scores: Carrie Ann – 5.5, Len – 5.5, and Bruno – 6, for a total of 17 out of 30.

Melissa Rycroft and her old partner Tony Dovolani are back to see if they can improve off of their third place position from season 8. She started off with a split and a lot of performance value for their Fox Trot. I felt like I was watching a Broadway show! It was really fantastic! Their side by side parts were totally together and very good! I think they did a great job! Carrie Ann said she has exquisite lines but said that she wanted to see more body contact. Len said that it was a little theatrical for him but he loved her lines and extension. Bruno said that she is stronger, sassier and sexier but he too wanted to see more body contact with a stronger frame.

Their scores: Carrie Ann – 7, Len – 7, and Bruno – 7, for a total of 21 out of 30.

Next up was season 4 champ, Apolo Anton Ohno and his new partner Karina Smirnoff. Karina thought he was very rusty during their rehearsals. They danced the Cha Cha Cha. They were glowing which was kind of cool. It almost seemed like a little freestyle at times. I wonder what Len will think of that. His moves seemed almost a little too big at times, I think he is doing amazing, but there’s some refinement needed to get back to his championship level. Len said it wasn’t a gold medal performance. He said it needed more hip action, but said that he came out big. Bruno said that he was ready for action and he loved the extensions of his arms. He said to watch the placement of his foot but thought it looked great. Carrie Ann thought he seemed 3,000 times sexier and thought that his legwork and hip action was great.

Their Scores: Carrie Ann – 7.5, Len – 7, and Bruno 7.5, for a total of 22 out of 30. I thought the half point on that dance was a little generous.

Gilles Marini and Peta Murgatroyd lost out on season 8 by less than 1%. They danced the Fox Trot and they did it in black and white to start! It had a lot of suave elegance right away. His frame was amazing. They had a great spark between them! They are going to be tough to beat I think! Plus, he is stunningly handsome! They look great together. Bruno said that it had gloss and glamour and was technically so good. Carrie Ann said that she missed him and said it was poetic and gorgeous. Len said that he had sophistication about him and he thought he did a great job. I sense an 8 at least!

Their Scores: Carrie Ann – 8, Len – 8, and Bruno – 8, for a total of 24 out of 30.

Bristol Palin was back with her old partner Mark Ballas from season 11. I wonder if Mama Palin will be in the audience. They danced the Cha Cha Cha. She looked great! The dancing, again, a little slow, just how I remembered. She needs to just let go and over exaggerate her moves a little because then they would probably look normal. It’s going to be a tough call between her and Pam Anderson. One of them probably should go home Tuesday. It was an ok job. Carrie Ann said that she votes her most improved and thought that everything looked great. She did think she needed a little more pop though. Len said that she seemed far more confident. He did pick on her arms some though. (PS, there’s Sarah Palin now!) Bruno added that he thought she had power and focus.

Their Scores: Carrie Ann – 6.5, Len – 6.5, and Bruno – 6.5, for a 19.5 out of 30. I think that was way generous. There was a lot of booing going on in the audience, I’m not totally sure why they were booing though.

Drew Lachey, season 2 champ, and Anna Trebunskaya danced the Fox Trot. She’s gorgeous! Like a Disney princess, don’t you think? They glided across the dance floor! Drew came out with guns blazing! He’s another one to watch for sure. His feet were very fast and he looked very crisp with his arms. Overall, one of my favorite dances so far! Len loved it. Bruno said they looked like they danced together forever! He did think he looked a little stiff in some places. Carrie Ann said that she was worried his shoulders would be a problem but she thought he looked fabulous. She also cautioned she wants to see firm, not rigid.

Their Scores: Carrie Ann – 7, Len – 7, and Bruno – 7.5, for a total of 21.5 out of 30. I find that to be quite low! Oh well!

Season 1 champion Kelly Monaco was partnered with Val Chmerkovskiy this time around. They had the Cha Cha Cha. She really didn’t miss a beat and it’s been a while since season 1, let’s be honest! I feel that Val took a little time to show off and he really should have let Kelly shine a little bit more. She’s clearly capable so I’d like to see some harder moves next time around. She almost did miss one of her holds towards the end though…I’m sure the judges must have noticed that! Bruno said that it was sexier and hotter than ever. Carrie Ann said that she is sexier and that she and Val have insane chemistry and she does want her to watch her legs just a little. Len said that she is even better than season 1! Len thought the choreography was fantastic (I thought they could do more!) He wants her to watch her shoulders though.

Their Scores: Carrie Ann – 7, Len – 7, and Bruno – 7.5, for a total of 21.5 out of 30.

Then it was time for fan favorites, Kirstie Alley and Maksim Chmerkovskiy from season 12. They had the Fox Trot. She looked really good, she’s obviously kept up with the weight loss so good for her! They were very elegant! She really hasn’t missed a beat since they were last on the show. They ended, with a KISS! Ooh! Carrie Ann told her to lift her carriage more and she wants to see more sharpness. Len said that she has to lift her rib cage and you have to feel for the floor when you step back. Bruno said that he love the looks and the drama but he said it lacked refinement.

Their Scores: Carrie Ann – 6.5, Len – 6, and Bruno – 6.5, for a total of 19. I thought that she deserved maybe one 7 at least!

Last but not least, the champions of season 3, Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke brought their Cha Cha Cha to the ballroom! He kicked it off by using his bootie for some killer hip action right at the start! Wow. That’s all I have to say. They were AMAZING! The guys seem to be much stronger competitors here than the ladies. We’ll have to see how they improve. The foot action was off the hook and he brought back his fun and charisma that we’ve been missing! Len said that you can’t teach flair and it was great! He thought it was the best dance of the night. Bruno said he has natural charisma. Carrie Ann said “Yabba, Dabba, DO!” She welcomed him back and said he was born to dance.

Their Scores: Carrie Ann – 8, Len – 8.5, and Bruno 8, for a total of 24.5 out of 30. That was the highest score of the night!

This is going to be some season! The dances were insanely good from almost everyone! Now get to voting! The elimination begins Tuesday at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Comments

Kirstie Allie - who let the dog out? She overstayed her welcome last season and isn't worthy to be included with past champs and near champs. How many stupid fans will keep voting her in every week. Come on folks, wake up!